The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-04-21
MEMORIAL DAY.
The orders for Its Observance by
the Grand Army.

Commander .in-Chief Fairchild Of the
Grand Army Of the Republic has issued his
general orders for the observance Of Memo
rial Day, incorporating therein the orders
issued by the late Gen. John A. Logan Ia
1868. The orders follow:
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS 4
GRAND ARMY OFF THE REPUBLIc.
MADISON, Wis, April IS, 1887.
General Orders No. IL:
Nineteen years ago the then Commander
in-Chief Of the Grand Army Of the Repub-
Lie, In General Orders, set apart the Goth
day Of May and suggested that 1t be conse-
Grated to the memory Of the fallen soldiers
OF the Nation.
This being the first Memorial Day occur
ring since his death, the Commander-ln-
Chief asks that the eloquent and appropri-
ate words Of General Orders No. III, fS6s.
uttered by that illustrious soldier and be.
loved eomrade John A. Logan be again taken
as Inspiration and guidance for the s0th day
HEADQUARTERS
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLICi
WAsHrNGToN, ID. O., May 8, 1868
I. The 3oth day Of May, 1868, Is designated
for the purpose Of strewing with flowers or other
wise decorating the graves Of comrades who died
In defence Of their country during the late rebel
lion, and whose bodies now lie IN almost every
city, village and hamlet churchyard In the land
seribed, but posts and comrades will In their own
way arrange such hitting services and testimonl-
ais s1 q respect as circumstances may permit.
We are organized, comrades, as our RegulA-
tions tell US, for the purpose, among other
things, "of preserving and strengthening those
kind and fraternal feelings which have bound
together the soldiers, sailors and marines who
united to suppress the late rebellion" What can
aid more 70 assure this result than cherishing
tenderly the memory OF our heroic dead, who
made their breasts a barrlcade between our cOun-
Try and It's tOes? Their soldier lives were the
Teyeille Of freedom to race In chains, and their
death the tattoo Of rebel0us tyranny In arms.
We should guard their graves with sacred vigil
ance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste
Of the nation can add 10 their adornment and Sc
her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread
rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant
itors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism OF
avarice or neglect, no ravages Of time testify to
the present or 70 the coming generations that we
have forgotten as a people the cost Of a free and
undivided republic.
II other eyes grow dull and other hands slack.
md other hearts cold In the solemn trust, ours
shail keep 1t well as long as the light and warmth
of life f.snain to us.
Let Is. Sessp, al the time appointed gather
around their sacneJ remains and garland the pas
slOnless mounds ab6se them with the choicest
flowers Of springtime fesps raise above them the
dear old flag they saved rom dishonor; let us in
this solemn presence renew Qua. pledges 10 aid
and assist those whom they have feft among us a
sacred charge upon a nations gfAtItude-the
soIqier,s ana . sailors ~ WIDOW ana Orphan
Chief TO naugurate this observance with the ,h0pe
that Il VIII be kept up from year to year, while
survivor Of the war remains TO honor the memory
OF his departed comrades
He earnestly desires the public press 70 call at
tenti0n to this order, and lend It's friendly aid n
bringing IL 10 the notice Of comrades In all parts
Of the country tn time for simultaneous eompl-
ance Herewith.
Ill. Department commanders will use every
effort to make this order effective.
BY command OF JOHN A. LOGAN, Commander
N. p. CHIPMAS, Adlutant General
BY command Of LUcIUs FAnRcHILD, Com
mander-in-Chief.
f. b. GRAY, Adjutant General.